Co-owner Gillett prepares to follow Parry out the Anfield exit

George Gillett, the Liverpool co-owner, is ready to cut his ties with the club and follow chief executive Rick Parry out of Anfield after exploring ways of selling his sporting assets.

Pierre Boivin, president of Gillett's NHL team, the Montreal Canadiens, says Gillett has hired four financial firms in Europe, the United States and Canada to look into the future of his interests, including his 50 per cent stake at Anfield.

On their way: Liverpool co-owner George Gillett (left) is set to join chief executive Rick Parry (right) out of the Anfield exit door.

Gillett has endured a stormy relationship with fellow owner Tom Hicks in their two years together and further alienated him by siding with Parry when the outspoken Texan launched a fierce attack on Liverpool's outgoing chief executive.

Boivin said: 'The process has been started but we're only at the beginning. We're not hiding it. We're going through a very difficult economic period.'